LANDON DONOVAN is backing Everton FC's Leighton Baines to make the England World Cup squad and set up a tasty reunion.

The USA star gained immediate hero status at Goodison Park after a string of superb displays whilst on loan from LA Galaxy this season.

A return to Everton in the January transfer window next season is certain to be an option manager David Moyes explores but for the time being fans will have to make do with watching Donovan at the World Cup.

However, the American is hoping to meet up with one of Moyes’ men sooner than that when the USA take on England on June 12 in their opening Group C match.

Left-back Baines has already been named in Fabio Capello’s 30-man provisional squad but Donovan believes the player is good enough to make the final 23 and face him in Rustenburg.

Donovan said: “I’m not surprised that Bainesy made it. I was really impressed with him during my time at Everton and I’m pulling for him to make the 23-man roster.

“It would be awesome to play against him on June 12th. Although I trained against him almost every day for three months and it wasn’t all that enjoyable for me.”

Meanwhile, Everton’s luckless year with injuries has taken a turn for the better with the news that youngster Dan Gosling is expected to return to full fitness sooner than expected.

Fears were Gosling would miss nine months after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament against Wolves in March but assistant Steve Round reports the England Under-21 international’s recovery is going well after successful surgery.

He said: “Dan is doing very well after his surgery. There was less damage than we first thought so that was a positive.”